Volunteering with Dar Al Ber Society
About Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society is one of the oldest charities in the UAE. It was founded in Dubai in 1978, and its name loosely translates from Arabic as “house of charity”. Its main office sits on Sheikh Zayed Road in Al Manara, and it runs branches and centres across Dubai and in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
The society describes itself as a leading donor to orphans worldwide. Its orphans and families department manages sponsorship projects in many countries across Asia and Africa, covering children’s financial, social and spiritual needs. Alongside orphan care, it funds mosques, wells, education and medical projects, runs Quran memorisation centres and Islamic information centres, and is well known locally for its Ramadan programme.
That Ramadan work is easy to spot. The society has provided free iftar meals since it was formed, and The National reported that it serves more than 324,000 meals each Ramadan, with around 2,500 served daily at the Ibrahim Khaleel Masjid in Bur Dubai and meals distributed at 23 locations across the emirates.
What volunteers do
We could not find a public volunteer registration page on Dar Al Ber’s official website, so we are not going to promise roles that may not exist. What we can say is that press coverage of its Ramadan meals shows volunteers involved at distribution points, checking portion size, quality and packaging alongside staff. If you would like to give your time, the best route is to contact the society directly and ask what is open, particularly in the weeks before Ramadan.
Who can volunteer
Dar Al Ber does not publish volunteer eligibility rules online. As a general rule in the UAE, organised volunteering is often channelled through registered platforms, so it is worth having a profile on the UAE Volunteers platform and, if you live in Dubai, with the Community Development Authority. Ask the society whether it lists opportunities there before you turn up anywhere.
How to get involved
- Decide how you want to help. For most people, the clearest route with Dar Al Ber is giving, especially orphan sponsorship.
- Explore orphan and family sponsorship. The website has a dedicated orphan and family sponsorship section, plus a student sponsorship section.
- Call or message the society. The main line is 800 79, and there is a WhatsApp chat link on the website. Ask about current sponsorship options and any volunteer needs.
- Visit a branch if you prefer. Donations are accepted in person at all branches.
Other ways to help
Dar Al Ber makes giving straightforward, with several channels to choose from:
- Online: a “charity bag” on daralber.ae lets you choose a cause and amount, then pay by Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay.
- Recurring giving: weekly or monthly donations in preset or custom amounts, for general charity, mosques, endowments or wells.
- SMS: text-message giving by category, including orphan sponsorship and zakat, with fixed amounts.
- Bank transfer: account details are published as a PDF on the website.
- Mobile app: available on the App Store and Google Play.
- In person: at any Dar Al Ber branch. The National has also reported donation points at Union Coop hypermarkets and Aswaaq supermarkets in the past, so check that these are still in place.
Good to know
Dar Al Ber works on Islamic principles, and much of its income comes from zakat and project-based donations. If you are giving zakat, ask the team how it is allocated so you are comfortable with where it goes.
Orphan sponsorship is a long-term commitment by nature. Before you sign up, ask how often you will hear about the child or family you support and how payments work. A reputable charity will be happy to explain.
Ramadan is when the society is busiest. If you want to help in person, get in touch well before the month begins rather than in the first few days, when teams are already stretched.
Contact and links
- Website: www.daralber.ae
- Main line: 800 79 (also 04 318 5999)
- Bur Dubai branch: 04 352 3333
- Ajman: 06 747 0404, Umm Al Quwain: 06 765 0002, Fujairah: 09 243 0696
- Email: ask@daralber.ae
- Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Manara, Dubai, P.O. Box 5732
If you are looking for hands-on volunteering with children right now, browse the other organisations in our volunteering guide, and keep Dar Al Ber in mind as a reliable way to support orphans through sponsorship.